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Wed, 22 Jul 2015 16:55:31 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1Happenings at Studio 215http://polymerclayetc.com/?p=4990
http://polymerclayetc.com/?p=4990#commentsWed, 22 Jul 2015 16:35:58 +0000Alicehttp://polymerclayetc.com/?p=4990I now have to blogs and two Facebook accounts, one Instagram, one flickr, a Google + account and two Youtube accounts because ever since Goole merged with Youtube I can’t get on my original one at all. Whew, it’s just hard to keep up.

I now have to blogs and two Facebook accounts, one Instagram, one flickr, a Google + account and two Youtube accounts because ever since Goole merged with Youtube I can’t get on my original one at all. Whew, it’s just hard to keep up.

That’s my excuse for not posting here, actually forgetting to post here, so I apologized to all of you who don’t check in to all those other places.

Here’s what I’ve have been working on for the last month.

These new charms are such fun, I had my first Charming Canes workshop (thanks Cynthia Tinapple and Polymer Clay Daily for the name) this past weekend and I really believe everyone had a good time and learned a lot. At least they all came back day #two with smiles on their faces.

I worked on a color palette for this workshop using mainly Premo Cobalt Blue, Fuchsia, and Zinc Yellow. Then all colors where Skinner blended with white. I was pleased with the results. Just look at the charms this group created. It really was a greatly satisfying workshop for me.

Thanks to the support of my community and my friends and fellow clayers from around the country, my studio is doing very well and I’m having the best time. Such a lucky girl.

]]>http://polymerclayetc.com/?feed=rss2&p=49900Alice In Wonderlandhttp://polymerclayetc.com/?p=4982
http://polymerclayetc.com/?p=4982#commentsThu, 28 May 2015 16:58:40 +0000Alicehttp://polymerclayetc.com/?p=4982I was so happy that my “Alice in Wonderland” tea set was featured on Polymer Clay Daily in the beginning of this month. But I was upset with myself that I haven’t finished it. I’d been working on it since before Christmas, but I bought my Studio and have been busy with all that brings with it.

Thanks to Cynthia Tinapple and PCD I’ve finished most of the characters. It will always be a work in progress I think. but here’s a look at it as it is now. I hope you enjoy it and get a smile or two.

You can see the tea set in person at Alice Stroppel’s Studio 215 in Sebring FL .

you can get more information about Studio 215, classes and items for sale at the Studio’s blog. while you’re there, sign up for my newsletter, you’ll be the first to know what classes are being offered and what exciting instructors are coming to teach.

My newest wall piece, Into the Garden, 21″ x 29″. It’s funny, I had this almost finished month’s ago, before I bought my new Studio. I sat down with it again and decided to double the size. I worked on it feverishly for days, took pictures to share on Facebook and realized by looking at the photos that I had actually done two completely different pieces.

I shouldn’t share them with you, but hey, we all make mistakes right? I was lucky that I could save this one and I almost have the second one finished. So I still don’t have my larger one, but I will have two smaller ones instead. Both will be for sale at Studio 215.

Here’s the photo of the larger one almost finished. Can you see the two different styles? Just goes to show you that switching in the middle requires a bit of planning,

The bottom part, the part I did months ago is very tight, with flowers touching flowers. the top part has more background, more loose flowers. You can almost see how much I wanted to get this one finished and up on the wall.

Lesson learned. I always take pictures and take a good look at my projects that way, sometimes we are just too close.

I’ve been posting to my new blog for Studio 215, head on over there and sign up for updates when I post and for my newsletter letting you know what’s going on at Studio 215. I shared snydee holt’s visit and our encounters with alligators there the other day.

I’m really looking forward to syndee holt’s visit this month. When I saw her at Sandy Camp in San Diego last year I invited her to come stay a day or two with me before she went to Orlando Clay Fandango.

Then when Studio 215 happened I asked her if she [...]]]>

I’m really looking forward to syndee holt’s visit this month. When I saw her at Sandy Camp in San Diego last year I invited her to come stay a day or two with me before she went to Orlando Clay Fandango.

Then when Studio 215 happened I asked her if she want to teach. Always one to share her knowledge she said yes. She’ll be here to teach Mokume Gane on Tuesday April 28, 2015 from 5:30pm to 9:30pm. Download the flyer and application here.

By the way, I’m thrill to tell you I will be teaching a master class at Sandy Camp this year, such a fun group.

I just started a Facebook business page for Studio 215, if you are on Facebook, I’d love it if you’d like the page, I’m at 464, 500 would be so nice. Thanks in advance.

https://www.facebook.com/alicestroppelsstudio215

Deciding what to sell at Studio 215 is turning into a interesting adventure. Of course my main reason to be there is to teach polymer to more people. And just so you know, I really want to hold small live online classes and that’s what I will be working on this summer. Sebring is a winter town for many people and most of our visitors have gone home for the summer leaving downtown quiet and a perfect time for new things to developed. Stay tuned.

It’s truly fun to be in the studio and see what people respond to. I am really having fun just putting all my fun bright canes on things people are taking to their homes or giving as gifts. Very satisfying indeed.

I have been surprised and pleased at the response to these fun wine glasses. Seems like I’m having to restock often but it’s great fun and I love making new canes.

My Salt and Pepper girls are finding new homes as well. Earrings and pendents are waving goodbye too.

I’ve not neglected my larger work though. Here’s a piece that I’m working on that will be 39 x 28 when finished.

No small task, pun intended, but one that I can truly lose myself in and extremely satisfying to say the least. So if I don’t post here as often as I use to, I’m creating, teaching, inventing and selling. See you somewhere.

I’ve been looking forward to this week for about six months. The four of us, Julie Eakes, Meisha Barbee, and Laurie Prophater planned to meet at my home studio and just sit and clay for a week. Then Studio 215 happened and the timing was right for one of this talented group of artists to teach a class at my new studio. Polyform Products provided Premo clay and we were set. Thank you Iris Weiss and Polyform Products

Meisha said yes and taught a full house this past week-end and Julie and Laurie have agreed to teach in the future. Happily that means another trip to Florida.

In the photo above you see us in my studio at home claying away. We didn’t leave the house that day.

But it was on to Studio 215 the next day to get ready for Meisha’s workshop.

These were just some of the beautiful samples Meisha had on display, forgive the photography, I’m responsible.

Below are the finished piece created by a very talented group of students.

Everyone had a great time, learned a lot and went home ready to explore these skills a bit more. Just take a look at these happy faces. Meisha is an excellent teacher, everyone agreed.

Can you tell that we laughed quite a bit? I just loved having everyone here.

I’m happy to say that I now have work for purchase at Studio 215 from Meisha, Julie, and Laurie. Here are just a few samples. I don’t think they’ll last long.

Meisha Barbee

Laurie Prophater

Julie Eakes

The next day found Julie, Meisha and me at the Ringling Museum of Art. We toured Ca’d'Zan the mansion and the museum and then jumped over to St. Armands Key to put our feet in the sand. Laurie had left us by then and we missed her smiling face.

We had a great time but we weren’t very popular on Facebook when Julie posted this picture. (notice the people in bathing suits in the back ground) Cold times up north…sorry guys.

Thanks to everyone for making this a happy week at Studio 215 and beyond.

Texas artist Randee M. Ketzel is Studio 215 on June 13th and 14th and bringing with her a ton of fun with this Beachcomber bracelet. I can’t wait for this workshop and to spend some time with Randee. I haven’t meet her in person yet, but I know I’m in for a treat. I’ve heard rumors that she’s kind of fun to be around. Okay not just kind of!

Plus I know for a fact she’s extremely generous. She sent me almost the first bracelets she made using Stroppel canes. See my post about it here. Thanks again Randee, they are still so special.

Randee will be incorporating a wealth of faux techniques in this beachcomber workshop. Students will learn how to create realistic driftwood twigs with fungal embellishments, fossil limestone with opal inclusions in a variety of styles, including miniature cycladic goddess figures, faux sea glass, and jade artifacts–scarabs and cicadas.

Students will create at least one bracelet, and have an abundance of elements left over for more projects..necklaces, pendants. earrings and more!

Lessons on seamless stringing and use of a power drill will be included. All materials and tools provided.

Randee M. Ketzel came to polymer clay by way of a youthful career as a bench jeweler; when impending motherhood frowned upon such diversions, she turned to alternative materials, and in decent middle age, discovered–or was discovered by–polymer clay. She has happily immersed herself in its wonders ever since. She currently lives, breathes, and teaches the exquisite art of polymer clay in Austin TX with her beautiful children, wonderful husband and an impossibly fluffy little dog.

Terrific Transfers

Mokume Gane

I’m very happy to tell you that syndee holt will be here for two evening classes in April.

When I was busy with other careers but wishing I was polymer claying full-time, I would watch craft television shows that featured polymer clay artists and read whatever I could about polymer clay. I came to know (even though they didn’t have a clue who I was) Barbara McGuire, Maureen Carlson, Donna Kato, Marie Segal and syndee holt pretty well. I remember many articles by syndee and I admired her inventiveness and imagination.

I’m delighted to say I’ve met and become friends with Barbara and Maureen and Marie, such talented and generous people. A couple of years ago I was happy to meet syndee at Orlando Fandango retreat and then again at Sandy Camp in California. This time I was lucky to spend more time with syndee and am pleased that she has added me to her list of friends. Isn’t the polymer clay community fabulous?

syndee will once again be attending fandango in May, but I’ve asked her to come visit me before she heads to Fandango. Happily she said yes and as a bonus she is going to teach two evening classes at Studio 215.

syndee was recently featured on Polymer Clay Daily with her transfer portrait of her son. I just love this.

syndee says these bracelets are easily the most commented pieces of jewelry that she’s ever worn. I can see why, they are made with laser transfers onto the sheet of clay. They’re quick, tons of fun and a great introduction to transfers.

Everything you need will be provided. Clay, transfers, tools, etc. You can bring their own transfers as well, as long as they are laser prints (and they have to be reversed left to right so that they transfer correctly). syndee will be available via email and text to help students with their transfers and would be delighted to help you “clean up” the transfers in Photoshop.

So what else can you do with transfers? How about transferring Dover clip art? Your kids’ art? Your black and white photos? Your own photo line drawings?

Mokume Gane really has no limits – there are so many different techniques for this style and then so many color combinations. syndee’s technique uses the larger ball stylus to create craters of color. Souffle clay particularly lends itself to this technique with vibrant colors and crisp patterns.

Use some more organic colors and create an elegant faux turquoise.

How about if you don’t even slice the surface, but dig through it with the ball stylus?

Students will learn sydee’s basic technique and then create rounded pendants on hollow bead molds. They will also learn how to put the slices into cabochon molds and backfill them with contrasting colors. syndee will show them how to fashion organically shaped cutters and how to use the cutters to make rounded edge to their shapes.

This class has successfully been taught to beginners as well as intermediate students with everyone having an absolute blast. All clay and tools provided.

syndee holt been an independent designer for Sculpey (Polyform Products) for over 18 years and she currently serves as the Polyform Brand Ambassador. cyndee is a founding member and former President of the infamous San Diego Polymer Clay Guild. She’s written over 100 articles for crafting magazines both national and internationally. In addition, she wrote Polymer Clay for the First Time, which is still available through amazon.com. syndee has also made about 33 television appearances on HGTV, Discovery, DIY, and more.

Want to see more of syndee’s work and see what a treat you’re in for? Just follow these links.

Meisha Barbee is coming to Studio 215 in Sebring, FL and will be teaching surface design. You won’t want to miss this workshop.

[...]]]>Master Class

Instructor – Meisha Barbee

Mica Shift with Appliqué’ Pendant

Sat. & Sun. - Feb. 21 & 22, 2015

9am – 4:30pm

Meisha Barbee is coming to Studio 215 in Sebring, FL and will be teaching surface design. You won’t want to miss this workshop.

In her own words, “On the first day, students will make an array of small canes in a pleasing color palette to be used in creating a finished pendant. This will include my Signature “Fractured” mica cane.

Students will be encouraged to bring their own personality to the work by applying their unique color and design sensibility. I will provide color consultation to those students who need it.

The second day of the class will be for constructing the pendant. I’m a firm believer that Good Design doesn’t have to be labored. I will share my simple construction and finishing techniques, so every student should go home with finished work they can be proud of.”

No Refunds given after two weeks before class date. Balance due two weeks before workshop begins.

To reserve your seat, contact me at alicestroppel@gmail.com

As a winner of the Niche Award in 2008 and finalist in 2011, Barbee has been recognized as a leader in her field. A member of the International Polymer Clay Association, as well as her local San Diego Guild,

“I’m inspired by good design. I spend my life seeing and responding to good design all around me. It’s just something I do naturally, so I think I’m tuned in to current trends without really trying. Color and design are my passion. I respond to the color and patterns of textiles, textures in nature and architecture, the harmonious balance of interior spaces, and so on. Good design is everywhere. I also appreciate and respect good craftsmanship. It speaks to the integrity of good design, and I always try to execute my designs with that in mind.” Meisha Barbee

“A teacher with thirty years experience, I became addicted to polymer clay in the late 1980′s when I needed an inexpensive way to teach a jewelry design unit to my at-risk high school students. I was hooked! Over the years, I have had the occasion to teach at guild retreats, two Ravensdale Conferences and other venues both in the U.S. and abroad. I have designed tools and have made instructional DVDs for the Artway at Polymer Clay Express. These include: Boxes, Bangles, &Beautiful Beads, Marriage of Materials, and Triple Treat. My fascination with their wonderful extrusion tool has led to the design of detailed discs and development of the patterned plug extrusion technique.”

Mari is coming to visit me and teach a two day workshop at Studio 215 on March 28th and 29th 2015. I’m thrilled.

Here’s what Mari has to say about this inspiring workshop

“I will jump-start the folks who have never or seldom used this wonderful tool.

I will introduce my technique for saving your hands. How to adapt all kinds of disks for use with the A.C.E. and P.C.E. extruders (my extruder of choice, although we will also work with other extruders) Other bits and bobs I use with my extruder.

Participants will create petal support stands , paddle accents and use a blossom cheat sheet to form the earring form.

We will create two patterned plugs for extrusion. Various disk designs will be available for use in class.

Participants should expect to complete one set of earrings of each design during the workshop.

This workshop just touches on all the wonderful things the extruder can do…you are only limited by your imagination.”

Mari O’Dell lives in Annapolis, Maryland with her sax-playing poet husband, mellow black lab, Sachi and silver -Tabby kitten,Marlowe. Avoiding housework by lots of studio time and gardening. Mari has been a long time studio artist, teacher, author and innovator. In the later role she has expanded the use of the extruder in ways no one else has. She has designed detailed disks for the Artway extruder and developed the patterned plug extrusion technique. Her design work extends to impression plates, silk screen designs and mixed media tools.

And when the princess opened the door the frog came in, and slept upon her pillow as before, till the morning broke. And the third night he did the same. But when the princess awoke on the following morning she was astonished to see, instead of the frog, a handsome prince, gazing on her with the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen and standing at the head of her bed.

He told her that he had been enchanted by a spiteful fairy, who had changed him into a frog; and that he had been fated so to abide till some princess should take him out of the spring, and let him eat from her plate, and sleep upon her bed for three nights.

‘You,’ said the prince, ‘have broken his cruel charm, and now I have nothing to wish for but that you should go with me into my father’s kingdom, where I will marry you, and love you as long as you live.’